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As opposed to [[God]], people have worshipped '''other gods'''  throughout the history of humankind, usually in the practice of organized religion. The term "other gods" comes from the [[Ten Commandments]], where God said, "You shall have no other gods before me" ({{Bible ref|Exodus|20|3}}).

'''Other gods''' describes deities apart from [[God]]; the term comes from the [[Ten Commandments]], where God said, "You shall have no other gods before me" ({{Bible ref|Exodus|20|3}}).

While the word "god" refers in a general sense to any deity that is or has been worshipped as part of a theistic belief system, when spelled with an upper-case "G," the term is normally referring to the God of the [[Abrahamic religions]].

While the word "god" refers, in a general sense, to any deity that is or has been [[worship]]ped as part of a theistic belief system, when spelled with an upper-case "G," the term is normally referring to the God of the [[Abrahamic religions]].

Interestingly, there are even godless religions, that is, religions that worship no gods as such. These include [[Buddhism]] and [[Taoism]], which worship no other god at all, at least not in the sense that [[God]] is defined. Rather than emphasizing worship, whether that of [[God]] or other gods, such religions tend focus on the development of truth, knowledge and individual enlightenment.

Interestingly, there are even godless religions, that is, religions that worship no gods as such. These include [[Buddhism]] and [[Taoism]], which worship no other god at all, at least not in the sense that [[God]] is defined. Rather than emphasizing worship, whether that of [[God]] or other gods, such religions tend focus on the development of truth, knowledge and individual enlightenment.

== Other gods in the Bible ==

== Other gods in the Bible ==

The [[Old Testament|Jewish]] and [[New Testament|Christian Bible]]s contain references to more than just the Jewish and Christian God, but these gods are seen as false and having no real power, whether it be the [[golden calf]] or the images of [[Baal]].

The [[Old Testament|Jewish]] and [[New Testament|Christian Bible]]s contain references to more than just the Jewish and Christian God, but these gods are seen as false and having no real power, whether it be the [[golden calf]] or the images of [[Baal]].

=== Genesis ===

=== Genesis ===

God in the Garden of Eden often uses the plural when referring to Himself:

God in the Garden of Eden often uses the plural when referring to Himself:

*'And God said, let us make man in our image.', ([[Book of Genesis|Genesis]] 1:26)

*'And God said, let us make man in our image.', ([[Book of Genesis|Genesis]] 1:26)

=== Exodus ===

=== Exodus ===

The Bible refers to Egyptian gods several times, but they are never presented as having real form or power.  For instance, no god is ever discussed taking an action, having a thought, speaking, etc.  There are references to collective worship of other gods, but God always takes out His wrath on the Egyptian people themselves and the consequences of that wrath are seen, since they are real and exist.

The Bible refers to Egyptian gods several times, but they are never presented as having real form or power.  For instance, no god is ever discussed taking an action, having a thought, speaking, etc.  There are references to collective worship of other gods, but God always takes out His wrath on the Egyptian people themselves and the consequences of that wrath are seen, since they are real and exist.

*'And against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment.' ([[Book of Exodus|Exodus]] 12:12)

*'And against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment.' ([[Book of Exodus|Exodus]] 12:12)

=== Psalms ===

=== Psalms ===

*'God standeth in the congregation of the mighty, he judgeth among the gods.' (Psalm 82:1)

*'God standeth in the congregation of the mighty, he judgeth among the gods.' (Psalm 82:1)

*'Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord.' (Psalm 86:8)

*'Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord.' (Psalm 86:8)

*'Worship him, all ye gods.' (Psalm 97:7)

*'Worship him, all ye gods.' (Psalm 97:7)

The Psalms are considered to be the poetic writings of [[King David|David]]. In the Near East culture of the time, kings and other men of renown could be called "gods." There is no indication in any of the discussions of David or Israel's kings over almost 500 years where any god was ever considered to be real. For instance, no other god was ever said to have caused a storm or shown any other sign of actually existing.

The Psalms are considered to be the poetic writings of [[King David|David]]. In the Near East culture of the time, kings and other men of renown could be called "gods." There is no Biblical indication in any of the discussions of David or Israel's kings over almost 500 years where any god was ever considered to be real. For instance, no other god was ever said to have caused a storm or shown any other sign of actually existing.

=== The rest of the Bible ===

=== The rest of the Bible ===

None of the 66 Biblical books written over 1500 years of history have any mention of any other gods at all in any form that would grant them living qualities.

None of the 66 Biblical books written over 1500 years of history have any mention of any other gods at all in any form that would grant them living qualities.

==Short Story==

==Short Story==

Horror writer [[H.P. Lovecraft]] once wrote a short story called "The Other Gods."

Horror writer [[H.P. Lovecraft]] once wrote a short story called "The Other Gods."

==Historical==

==Historical==

Other gods worshiped historically include [[Molech]], [[Baal]], and [[Ra]].

Other gods worshiped historically include [[Molech]], [[Baal]], and [[Ra]].